Help for members and guests

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about accounts, sharing your writing, community life, and who to ask when you need a hand. Still stuck? Contact Us or visit the YWS Team page.

Quick answers

What is Young Writers Society?

Young Writers Society (YWS) is a free online writing community and writing forum founded in 2004. Members share poems and stories, give feedback, join forums and clubs, and meet writers from around the world. For a fuller welcome, see the About page.

Is Young Writers Society free?

Yes. YWS is free to join and free to use. You can publish literary works, participate in forums, give and receive reviews, and take part in community features without a paid membership. Optional donations help keep the site running.

Who can join?

Anyone who wants to write, read, and grow with a creative community can join. Create an account, introduce yourself, and start sharing work or exploring forums whenever you are ready. The community welcomes writers at many stages of craft.

Do writers retain copyright?

Yes. Writers keep the copyright to their own work. Posting on YWS does not transfer ownership. Members should respect others' rights and follow the site Copyright Policy when sharing or quoting creative work.

How do writers receive feedback?

Writers receive feedback mainly through literary reviews and comments on published works, plus discussion in writing forums and clubs. Giving thoughtful reviews to others is a core part of the community and helps everyone improve.

Can I share poetry and novel chapters?

Yes. YWS supports many literary types, including poetry, short stories, novel chapters, essays, scripts, lyrics, art, and more. Publish individual pieces or longer projects and invite feedback from fellow writers.

Getting started

Do I need an account?

You can browse much of YWS without signing in. An account is needed to publish literary work, post in forums, leave reviews, send private messages, and use other member features.

How old do I need to be?

Writers of many ages are welcome. During registration we ask your age so we can follow privacy rules that protect younger members (including COPPA for members under 13 in the United States). If you are under the age required where you live, a parent or guardian may need to help you join.

How do I create an account?

Visit Create an account, choose a username, and follow the steps. You can also use optional Sign in with Google. After you register, explore the literary shelves, forums, and People pages when you are ready.

Can I Sign in with Google?

Yes. Sign in with Google is optional and is only used to authenticate you and create or link your YWS account. We do not access your Gmail, Drive, or other Google services. Details are on our application information page.

I forgot my password or cannot log in. What should I do?

On the sign-in page, use the forgotten-password link to reset access by email. Double-check your username and password first. If you still cannot get in, use Contact Us or ask someone on the YWS Team page.

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Sharing your writing

How do I post a literary work?

After you sign in, use the literary area to create a new work and publish when you are ready. You can browse what others have shared anytime on the literary works pages.

What kinds of writing can I share?

Members share poetry, short stories, novel chapters, scripts, lyrics, articles and essays, art, and other creative work. Choose the category that fits best when you post.

How do reviews work?

Thoughtful reviews help everyone grow. Read a work, leave kind and specific feedback, and consider reviewing others in return. Reviews are part of how the community levels up together.

Can I edit or take down my work later?

Yes. Your work stays under your control. You can edit what you have posted, and you can remove it when you no longer want it on the site.

Who owns my writing on YWS?

You do. YWS does not claim ownership of your original work. Other people may not reuse or republish it without your permission. We take plagiarism seriously. Read the full policy on our Copyright page.

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Community life

What are the forums for?

The writing forums are where members talk about craft, share resources, run contests and activities, and keep community conversations going. They sit alongside the literary shelves as the social heart of YWS.

What are clubs?

Clubs are member-run groups with their own spaces for shared interests, projects, and conversation. They are a great way to find a smaller circle inside the larger community.

What is roleplay on YWS?

Roleplay is collaborative storytelling with other members. You can explore active games and boards in the roleplay area. The Roleplay Crew on the Team page can help if you have questions.

How do I find people and follow members?

Use the People area to see updates, browse members, and follow writers you enjoy. Profiles are a good place to learn more about someone and find their work.

Where can I hang out casually?

Besides forums and clubs, YWS has chat and other community spaces for lighter conversation. Look around the main navigation, and ask a team member if you are not sure where to start.

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Getting help and who to contact

Who are the green usernames?

Green usernames belong to volunteer team members who mentor, moderate, and help keep YWS kind. They are members too. You can meet them on the YWS Team page.

Who should I contact for help?

Start with someone whose area matches your question: Roleplay Crew for roleplay, Poetry Crew for poetry and lyrics, General Literature Crew for stories and similar works, Resources Crew for forum resources, or an Administrator or Global Moderator for site-wide issues. The full roster is on the Team page. For general help, any team member is fine.

How do I report a problem, harassment, or plagiarism?

Tell a team member who covers that area, or use Contact Us. For plagiarism or copyright concerns, include documentation when you can, and see our Copyright Policy. We take safety and originality seriously.

How do I use Contact Us?

The Contact Us form reaches the people who help run YWS. Use it for account questions, site problems, or anything you would rather not post publicly. Pick the topic that fits best and share enough detail for us to help.

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Account, privacy, and safety

How do I change my profile or privacy settings?

Sign in and open your User Control Panel (UCP). From there you can update profile details, preferences, and privacy settings that control what others can see.

Where are the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service?

Our Privacy Policy explains what information we collect and how we use it. Our Terms of Service cover accounts, acceptable use, and related rules. Both are part of using YWS.

Is YWS family-friendly?

Yes. We aim to keep the community welcoming for younger writers and longtime members alike. Please be respectful in what you post, and follow the Terms of Service and community standards.

How do private messages work?

Signed-in members can send private messages to other members for one-to-one conversation. Use them kindly. If you receive unwanted messages, you can ask the sender to stop and contact the team if you need help.

Where can I learn about BBCode formatting?

Forums and many posting forms support BBCode for basic formatting. See the BBCode guide for tags and examples.

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Supporting YWS

How can I donate?

Donations help cover monthly hosting so YWS can stay free. Visit our Donate page to see how to give and to meet the members we thank for past gifts.

What is a Supporter badge?

Members whose donations are linked to their YWS account can receive a Supporter badge on their posts and profile. Badge color reflects lifetime giving tiers. Details and our thank-you list live on the Donate page.

What is a Pro account?

A Pro account is another way some members choose to support YWS financially, with recognition and related benefits described on the Pro page. Donating without a Pro subscription is always welcome too.

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Need a person, not a paragraph?

The volunteer team is glad to help, and the contact form is always open.

Contact Us Meet the Team


That's just what translation is, I think. That's all speaking is. Listening to the other and trying to see past your own biases to glimpse what they're trying to say. Showing yourself to the world, and hoping someone else understands.
— Ramy (Babel by R. F. Kuang)